Can old guys build these things...?!!!

Comments

• Bumblepants Member Posts: 7,634

  January 2020 edited January 2020

  Basically there are two types of building block sets: Lego and their legitimate competitors like Mega Constux and Kreo. Then there are Chinese knock offs that blatantly infringe on copyrights, licenses, and design. You can browse the forum for discussions on Chinese knock offs, generally they are frowned upon here. 
  
  Many of the members here for your age range and you will fit in fine. Have a look at Creator Expert and Technic and you should find some fun stuff that suits your interest. Welcome!

  

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• Cyberdragon Member Posts: 550

  January 2020 edited January 2020

  Go for Technic, Mindstorms, Boost, Power Functions, trains, misc electronic sets like #4095, #8479, exc. New or antique, it's all fun to tinker with. Stay away from Powered Up though, it's rather janky (hopefully they fix it and make it more like power functions, but for now IMO it's not worth it).

  

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• ecmo47 Member Posts: 2,101

  January 2020

  Yes, target some of the Technic Flagship models like these:
  
  https://brickset.com/sets/42043-1/Mercedes-Benz-Arocs-3245
  https://brickset.com/sets/42082-1/Rough-Terrain-Crane
  https://brickset.com/sets/42100-1/Liebherr-R-9800
  https://brickset.com/sets/42009-1/Mobile-Crane-MK-II
  https://brickset.com/sets/42030-1/Volvo-L350F-Wheel-Loader
  https://brickset.com/sets/8043-1/Motorized-Excavator
  
  Of course there is always GBC, but that way leads to madness.......

  

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• The_Rancor Member Posts: 2,573

  January 2020

  Welcome unclepine, and to look on the positive side, perhaps you could be the rare case of someone who gets into real Lego by first buying into a clone brand!
  
  As you want to build highly functional vehicles, Technic by Lego is going to be far more detailed and reliable for parts than any other similar brands I know of - with these builds it’s really important to know the quality of the pieces is the best it can be to make mechanisms move properly. 

  

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• Cyberdragon Member Posts: 550

  January 2020

  The_Rancor said:

  Welcome unclepine, and to look on the positive side, perhaps you could be the rare case of someone who gets into real Lego by first buying into a clone brand!
  
  As you want to build highly functional vehicles, Technic by Lego is going to be far more detailed and reliable for parts than any other similar brands I know of - with these builds it’s really important to know the quality of the pieces is the best it can be to make mechanisms move properly. 

  Well, there is one clone brand that makes a tank (which Legp don't have).
  
  https://www.hammacher.com/products/build-your-own-rc-tank?refsku=89818&xsp=4&promo=xsells
  

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• unclepine Member Posts: 2

  January 2020

  THANKS chaps, for all the kind words and info..! Lots to look at and check into for possibilities. At present I'm working on the Lego 42108 mobile crane that I picked up this past Friday. No motors, but a good way I figure to get my first taste of a "real" Lego kit. i have the frame done and now workin on the steering sets. So far everything fits snug with no play unlike some of the parts on the DeCool bike. Will check out some of the links provided for more ideas..I REALLY like that GINORMOUS excavator...but YIKES..$550 bucks up here in the Great White North...!!

  
  

  Later
  

  

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• MrShinyAndNew Member Posts: 283

  January 2020

  unclepine said:

  $550 bucks up here in the Great White North...!!

  It's cheaper at costco.ca

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• M1J0E Member Posts: 644

  January 2020

  * sadly not much shows up on Costco.ca anymore.  I kept checking it when they had sets I wanted but the ones I wanted weren’t any cheaper.  
  
  Good point on costco.ca though, they can have 20% off on a large set you’d never think would be on sale!
  
  Welcome Uncle, I think the rest of the prairies is feeling Winterpeg’s weather right about now!

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